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Lucasfilm President Clarifies Han Solo Name Controversy

A little bit of prerelease movie teasing can be a good thing in this day and age, encouraging potential moviegoers who are on the fence to make the trek to their local theater and discover the true nature behind this subtly seeded hint or that bombastic casting announcement.

Of course, a tease can also go horribly awry. Such was the case earlier this year when Disney CEO Bob Iger hinted that the upcoming “Star Wars” Han Solo standalone prequel film would establish that the infamous smuggler’s name is not actually Han Solo. Now, though, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy has walked that claim back.

Kennedy extinguished fan fears at this year’s Star Wars Celebration, the annual Orlando-based convention that celebrates all things “Star Wars” that concluded last Sunday. In speaking with MTV, Kennedy made it clear that she doesn’t think Iger’s comments mean that the upcoming film will establish a new name for Han Solo.

“I’m not sure that that’s entirely what Bob meant,” Kennedy said. “There’s more to Han Solo’s name, but it’s not that it’s not his name. It’s obviously his name. It will always be his name.”

Iger’s initial comments, which came earlier this year at a University of Southern California tech conference, offered one of the first, concrete looks at the overall plot of the yet-titled Han Solo film. Such events include the rogue’s first meeting with his companion Chewbacca and the discovery of the Millennium Flacon. There is, of course, that other bit.

“[The film] picks up with Han Solo when he was 18 years old and takes him through when he was 24,” said Iger. “There are a few significant things that happen in Han Solo’s life, like acquiring a certain vehicle and meeting a certain Wookie that will happen in this film. But you will also discover how he got his name.”

Kennedy’s clarification might set some “Star Wars” fans minds at ease knowing that Han Solo, one of the movie franchise’s most popular characters, is actually named Han Solo, but the revelation also opens a whole new line of questions. Like, what name exactly was Iger talking about? It’s speculation for now, but Iger might have been using the word “name” more generally and was actually referring to how Han Solo made a name for himself as a smuggler with a heart of gold—though chances are the rogue wouldn’t want anyone to know that last bit. Regardless, we won’t know for sure until the movie’s debut next year.